Originally, Zhang Li was prepared to throw out 300 to 500 talisman papers so that Zhu Yunshan could draw talismans in the side hall for the next few days. However, after some consideration, he decided against it.
He could not let this guy die of exhaustion.
Nevertheless, seeing how focused Zhu Yunshan was as he drew the talismans, Zhang Li understood that one needed to have strong determination in the world of cultivation.
In fact, the experience he had gained from watching Zhu Yunshan was not something that could be measured by two or three spirit stones.
Even on Misty Cloud Mountain, if one wanted to cultivate the talisman path and observe the drawing process, one would have to spend spirit stones.
Zhang Li walked out of the hall in silence and stood in the courtyard. He saw a Daoist in green robes standing outside the courtyard.
"Greetings, Grandmaster."
Zhuo Yun was one of Jing Yang Temple's elites. He was just over 40 years old and was already in the middle stage of the Spirit Condensation Realm.
With such a cultivation, he was already a first-class expert in the martial arts world and respected by everyone.
He was a Daoist master who rarely made an appearance in Jing Yang Temple. Few people knew about his cultivation.
There were too many experts in the Jing Yang Temple, after all.
Zhang Li had been in Jing Yang Temple for more than a month, and Zhuo Yun had seen him a few times. He really thought that Zhang Li was Supreme Elder Yu Ji's disciple and that he had come to ask about the great grandmaster.
He had delivered tea leaves and some snacks from Luojing to Zhang Li several times.
He was one of the few people in Jing Yang Temple who had exchanged words with Zhang Li.
"I have accepted a mission from the temple, and I am preparing to go to Daming Manor. I have come to bid farewell to you, Grandmaster." Zhuo Yun went up to Zhang Li and bowed.
Daming Manor was located in the southeast of Zhao. It was a place of literary talent, and both Confucianism and Daoism flourished. It was extremely rich.
In fact, the people living in the southeast were doing well because of the rich resources and good land.
The Chu state was in the southeast as well, and its power surpassed that of Zhao.
"Is it for the opportunity to meet banished immortals?" Zhang Li asked.
Zhuo Yun nodded.
Zhang Li raised his hand, and three pale-yellow talismans appeared.
"I'll give these to you for protection."
Protection talismans!
Zhuo Yun's face lit up with joy. He suppressed the excitement in his heart and respectfully stepped forward to receive the talismans.
He had finally gotten close to him over the past few days.
As he watched Zhuo Yun leave, Zhang Li smiled and shook his head.
This was the difference between the mortal world and the cultivation world.
In the world of cultivation, strength reigned supreme, and immortals were much more indifferent.
Perhaps being tied down by human relationships was also a type of calamity in the mortal world?
Lin Zhaoyang had once said that the martial world was not just about fighting and killing. It was more about the ways of the world.
He would go on a trip when he had the chance.
Now, it was better to go back and draw talismans.
...
Over in Prince Yu's residence in Luojing, a thin old man was speaking to the prince. He had a goatee, and he was wearing gray robes.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has entrusted you with the task of investigating the attack on the banished immortal cultivators in Luojing. This shows how much trust he has in you, Your Highness."
The old man's name was Qian Yanci, and he was Prince Yu's aide.
This old Mr. Qian was famous in the southeast of Zhao, hence he was invited to Prince Yu's residence.
In the hall, Prince Yu of Zhao stood at the head of the table with a trace of joy on his face.
Over the last three days, the changes that occurred in Prince Yu's estate had been drastic.
Prince Yu's imperial residence had been cold and empty just a few days ago, and Prince Yu was an unhappy prince who had been punished for contradicting the emperor half a year ago.
Yesterday, however, Prince Yu sent the divine weapon that Zhao Ji had brought back from Jing Yang Temple to the imperial city. It was presented to His Majesty, whose face was filled with joy. The court's order immediately changed after that.
A rumor about a peerless master in Jing Yang Temple started circulating around the city yesterday. He was cold, and he did not like to be disturbed. Even the princess was rejected when she tried to visit him.
Yet, it was this expert who had gifted Emperor Yu's son a peerless sword.
Today, His Majesty decreed that Prince Yu would be responsible for investigating the strange attacks that had been occurring recently.
The emperor's trust was highly valued, and overnight, Emperor Yu became a revered figure in the city.
The encounters that had taken place over the last three days were pretty much magical.
"Zhao Ji, what would like as a reward?" Prince Yu turned his head and looked at Crown Prince Zhao Ji who was standing below.
Prince Yu had two sons and one daughter. Although Zhao Ji was not his eldest son, he was his legitimate son.
"It is my duty to share your worries, Father." Zhao Ji bowed and raised his head. "If you truly want to reward me, I would like half a catty of that wine you treasure, Blood of the Setting Sun."
Twenty years ago, the state of Qin had given Zhao 10 catties of wine as a tribute, and His Majesty had rewarded Prince Yu with one catty.
Prince Yu could not bear to drink it, and he still kept half a catty of this prized wine.
"Blood of the Setting Sun? Isn't that man a fan of tea not wine?" Prince Yu looked at Zhao Ji and asked softly.
The news of Prince Yu's son exchanging two gold taels of Cassia Cloud Snow for a good sword had spread throughout Luojing.
"Father, I feel bad for not giving the sword to my aunt that day. I would like to give this wine to my aunt."
After Zhao Ji finished speaking, he lowered his head and waited for Prince Yu's decision.
The hall was silent.
When Zhao Ji raised his head, he saw his father and Mr. Qian looking at him.
"Crown Prince, did you think of this yourself, or did someone else give you the idea?" Qian Yanci asked softly.
"Yes, I thought of it myself." Zhao Ji was a little confused, but he nodded.
"Alright, take the Blood of the Setting Sun." Prince Yu nodded and said in a low voice.
Zhao Ji's face lit up with joy as he hurriedly bowed.
After he left, Qian Yanci smiled and looked at Prince Yu. "The crown prince is straightforward and honest. Perhaps that's why he has gained these opportunities."
Prince Yu nodded but shook his head soon after.
"I was going to let him pay Minister Dongfang a visit and go to the City Patrol Bureau to look for the dossier. I didn't expect that he... Perhaps this is fate."
Dongfang Jing was a martial arts grandmaster and the minister of state, while the the eldest princess was in charge of the Mystic Moon Guards. As long as he could get close to either one of them, they would be able to help him in the future.
"How about this? I'll personally go to the City Patrol Bureau and invite Mr. Tang Mo to visit the various sects in Luojing.
"As for the minister of state, Dongfang Jing, let's put him aside for now."
"We already have the imperial court and Jing Yang Temple on our side. I'm sure that we can solve this case with Ciyu's help."
...
After Zhao Ji received half a catty of the wine from the storeroom, he did not go directly to the eldest princess' manor to see Zhao Ciyu. Instead, he went to look for his sister, Princess Yuyan.
Princess Zhao Yuyan was 16 years old and still at an innocent age. She was sweet as well as quick-witted, and she was very loved by Prince Yu and and the princess consort. Even the empress and princess consort in the palace called her the pearl of the imperial family.
Zhao Yuyan was overjoyed at this moment. Her brother was taking her to the princess, the most extraordinary woman in the hearts of the royal women. She patted her chest and promised not to say anything when she got there.
Unfortunately, how could a little girl's words be taken seriously?
Zhao Yuyan forgot her promise the moment she arrived at the eldest princess' residence.
"Auntie, the Northern Barbarians are really ferocious and terrifying. Do they eat raw human flesh?
"Auntie, how did you escape from the Northern Barbarians? Their homeland is tens of thousands of miles away.
"I want to be like you when I grow up, Auntie. I want to make my own decisions when it concerns my marriage. Oh, right, Auntie, what does the Northern Barbarian King look like?"
Zhao Ciyu chuckled and patted Zhao Yuyan on the forehead.
She turned around and looked at the embarrassed Zhao Ji. "Brat, have you always been this unreliable?"
Zhao Ji felt even more awkward.
Right then, Zhao Yuyan remembered her brother. She stuck out her tongue and retreated behind Zhao Ciyu.
"Auntie, I'm really here to apologize. The other day—" Before Zhao Ji could finish, Zhao Ciyu had already raised her hand to stop him.
"I know what you mean." Zhao Ciyu's expression was calm, but there was an intense look in her eyes. "But I don't drink."
She did not drink?
Back then, was it not rumored that the eldest princess and the Northern Barbarian King got drunk for an entire day?
Zhao Ji was at a loss.
"Zhao Ji, I have a mission for you." Zhao Ciyu suddenly looked at him with a solemn expression.
Zhao Yuyan quickly stood beside her brother.
"Send this to Jing Yang Temple." Zhao Ciyu's voice rang out.
Zhao Ji was taken aback. "Auntie, Mr. Zhang doesn't like to be disturbed..."
Mr. Zhang had asked him to think about what he wanted, but Zhao Ji had been too afraid to tell anyone about it.
He had not thought about it yet, so he dared not visit Mr. Zhang.
Perhaps, he had some rough ideas in his heart, but he had not given them enough consideration.
"It's not for Mr. Zhang." Zhao Ciyu shook her head. "It's for Mr. Zhu, who's temporarily staying in Jing Yang Temple.
"Liu Yue, go with the prince."
As Zhao Ciyu's voice faded, a valiant-looking woman in soft light red armor walked forward and bowed. Her hair was tied up in a red crown, and she long sword by her waist.
"Yes, Your Highness."